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Abstract:

A system and method are provided for managing electrical power
consumption by individual electrical circuits in a building. The system
includes a power control device in electrical communication with a
multi-circuit power infeed and a multi-circuit power output, each of
which includes at least two electrical conductors on separate circuits.
The power control device includes respective electrical switches
associated with the conductors of the power infeed and power output, an
electronic communications module, and a computer processor in
communication with the switches and the communications module. The
processor is operable to open and close the electrical switches
independently, in response to an occupancy signal and/or a trigger or
scheduled event stored by the power control device. When a period of
non-use is detected or anticipated, the power control device de-energizes
one or more circuits, to limit unnecessary energy consumption within the
system. A receptacle-level power control is also disclosed.

Claims:

1. An electrical power management system comprising: a power control
device in electrical communication with a multi-circuit power infeed
including at least first and second electrical infeed conductors on
separate circuits, said power control device comprising: first and second
electrical switches associated with said first and second electrical
infeed conductors and operable between an open configuration and a closed
configuration; an electronic communications module; and a computer
processor in communication with said first and second electrical switches
and with said electronic communications module, wherein said computer
processor is operable to open and close each of said first and second
electrical switches independently of one another in response to at least
one of (i) an occupancy signal received via said electronic
communications module and (ii) a trigger event detected by said computer
processor; a multi-circuit power output including first and second
electrical output conductors associated with the separate circuits of the
first and second electrical infeed conductors, whereby said first
electrical output conductor is in electrical communication with said
first electrical infeed conductor when a first of said switches is
closed, and said second electrical output conductor is in electrical
communication with said second electrical infeed conductor when a second
of said switches is closed; and an electrical power outlet configured to
receive an electrical plug of an electrical consumer, said electrical
power outlet in electrical communication with said first electrical
output conductor to selectively provide electricity to said power outlet
and the electrical consumer when said first electrical switch is closed.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said power control device further
comprises a memory module in communication with said computer processor
and configured to store a trigger event detected by said computer
processor, said computer processor being operable to open and close said
first and second electrical switches independently of one another in
response to the trigger event stored in said memory module.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the trigger event stored in said memory
module comprises at least one chosen from a time of day and a day of the
week.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said power control device comprises an
internal real-time clock in communication with said computer processor,
and wherein said computer processor is operable to open or close at least
one of said first and second electrical switches when said computer
processor determines that the trigger event time coincides with a current
time of day provided by said internal real-time clock.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said computer processor is operable to
open and close each of said first and second electrical switches
independently of one another in response to an occupancy signal received
via said electronic communications module, and wherein the occupancy
signal is indicative of whether an area is occupied by a person, the
occupancy signal being generated by an occupancy detector having a
transmitter for generating the occupancy signal, and wherein the
transmitter is in communication with said electronic communications
module.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said occupancy detector comprises a
motion sensor or a heat detector.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said electronic communications module
is in communication with a computer having a display, said electronic
communications module configured to receive program instructions from the
computer, the program instructions including one or more of the trigger
events.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said power control device is operable
to run the program instructions substantially autonomously without
further instructions from the computer.

9. An electrical power management system comprising: a multi-circuit
power infeed having at least two electrically hot infeed conductors, at
least one electrically neutral infeed conductor, and at least one
electrically grounded infeed conductor; a power control device in
electrical communication with said power infeed, said power control
device comprising: an electrical switch associated with each of said
electrically hot infeed conductors and operable between an open
configuration and a closed configuration; a memory module; an electronic
communications module; and a computer processor in communication with
each of said electrical switches, said memory module, and said electronic
communications module, wherein said computer processor is operable to
open and close each of said electrical switches independently of one
another in response to at least one of (i) an occupancy signal received
via said electronic communications module, and (ii) a trigger event
detected by said computer processor; a multi-circuit power output having
at least two electrically hot output conductors, at least one
electrically neutral output conductor, and at least one electrically
grounded output conductor, said electrical output conductors
corresponding respectively to said electrical infeed conductors, wherein
each of said at least two electrically hot output conductors is in
electrical communication with a corresponding one of said at least two
electrically hot infeed conductors when corresponding ones of said
electrical switches are in said closed configuration; and an electrical
power outlet configured to receive an electrical plug of an electrical
consumer, said electrical power outlet in electrical communication with a
first of said at least two electrically hot output conductors to
selectively provide electricity to said power outlet and the electrical
consumer when said electrical switch associated with said first
electrically hot infeed conductor is closed.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said power control device further
comprises a memory module in communication with said computer processor
and configured to store the trigger event, said computer processor being
operable to open and close each of said electrical switches independently
of one another in response to the trigger event stored in said memory
module.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the trigger event stored in said
memory module comprises at least one chosen from a time of day and a day
of the week.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said power control device comprises
an internal real-time clock in communication with said computer
processor, and wherein said computer processor is operable to open or
close at least one of said electrical switches when said computer
processor determines that the trigger event time coincides with a current
time of day provided by said internal real-time clock.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein said computer processor receives an
occupancy signal received from said electronic communications module, and
wherein the occupancy signal is indicative of whether an area is occupied
by a person, the occupancy signal being generated by an occupancy
detector having a transmitter for generating the signal.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein said electronic communications module
is in communication with a computer having a display, said electronic
communications module configured to receive program instructions from the
computer, the program instructions including one or more of the trigger
events.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said power control device is operable
to run the program instructions substantially autonomously without
further instructions from the computer.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein said electronic communications module
is operable to transmit power consumption data corresponding to each
circuit.

17. An electrical power management system comprising: a power infeed
including at least first and second electrical infeed conductors disposed
in a flexible armored infeed conduit; a multi-circuit power output
including first and second electrical output conductors associated with
electrically separate circuits and disposed in a flexible armored output
conduit; a power control device in electrical communication with said
multi-circuit power infeed and said multi-circuit power output, said
power control device including first and second electrical switches
associated with said first and second electrical output conductors and
operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to
permit selective electrical coupling of said first and second electrical
output conductors to at least one of said first and second electrical
infeed conductors; an electrical junction box positioned along said
flexible armored output conduit of said multi-circuit power output; and
an electrical power outlet positionable at said electrical junction box
and configured to receive an electrical plug of an electrical consumer,
said electrical power outlet in electrical communication with said first
electrical output conductor when said electrical power outlet is coupled
to said electrical junction box to selectively provide electricity to
said power outlet and the electrical consumer when said first electrical
switch is closed.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said electrical power outlet is
repositionable at said electrical junction box so as to be in electrical
communication with said second electrical output conductor when said
electrical power outlet is coupled to said electrical junction box to
selectively provide electricity to said power outlet and the electrical
consumer when said second electrical switch is closed.

19. A method of controlling the distribution of electrical power among a
plurality of circuits in an electrical system, said method comprising:
electrically coupling a multi-circuit power infeed to a power control
device, the power control device including first and second electrical
switches associated with first and second electrical infeed conductors of
the multi-circuit power infeed and controlled by a computer processor;
electrically coupling a multi-circuit power output to the power control
device, the multi-circuit power output including first and second
electrical output conductors that are in selective electrical
communication with the first and second electrical infeed conductors
according to the positions of the first and second electrical switches;
electrically coupling an electrical power outlet to one of the first and
second electrical output conductors; receiving an occupancy signal via an
electronic communications module or detecting a trigger event with the
computer processor; and in response to said receiving an occupancy signal
or detecting a trigger event, selectively closing or opening either or
both switches to thereby electrically energize or de-energize the first
and second electrical output conductors.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising: storing the
trigger event in a memory module of the power control device; detecting
an occurrence of the trigger event with the computer processor; opening
or closing the first and second electrical switches independently of one
another in response to detecting the occurrence of the trigger event
stored in the memory module.

21. An electrical power management system comprising: an electrical
receptacle in electrical communication with at least one circuit of a
multi-circuit power infeed including at least first and second electrical
infeed conductors on separate circuits, said electrical receptacle
comprising: a computer processor; a real-time clock associated with said
computer processor; at least one hot electrical contact and at least one
neutral electrical contact corresponding to said at least one hot
electrical contact, said at least one hot electrical contact and said at
least one neutral electrical contact configured to receive respective
contacts of an electrical plug associated with an electrical consumer; an
electrical relay that is operable to selectively energize said at least
one hot electrical contact in response to said computer processor at
least one of (i) detecting an occupancy signal received via said
electronic communications module and (ii) detecting the occurrence of a
trigger event; an electronic communications module in communication with
said computer processor; and wherein said electronic communications
module is in communication with a remote computer having a display, said
electronic communications module configured to receive program
instructions from the remote computer, the program instructions including
one or more of the trigger events.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application, Ser. No. 61/609,648, filed Mar. 12, 2012, which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] Many work areas and buildings are only occupied during a portion of
each day, during which time the consumption of electricity or other forms
of energy (e.g. natural gas, etc.) are typically at their highest.
However, significant energy may still be consumed during periods of
little or no use of the building or work area. For example, even when
computers, monitors, radios, and similar devices are switched off, they
still consume power in "standby" mode. Also, lights, space heaters, fans,
and other devices that are left on during periods of non-use can consume
significant amounts of energy, thus driving up utility costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides an electrical power management
system and method that allows circuit-level control of power consumption
in work areas or the like, based on occupancy detection and/or a
predefined program that de-energizes individual circuits according to
anticipated periods of non-use. This permits individual circuits, or even
individual electrical outlets or power consumers, to be selectively
de-powered during periods of actual or anticipated non-use of an area
associated with those circuits, to limit or prevent unnecessary energy
consumption by energy consumers (e.g., lights, appliances, and the like)
on specific circuits.

[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, an electrical power
management system includes a power control device in electrical
communication with a multi-circuit powered infeed and a multi-circuit
powered output. The power control device is operable to selectively
control which circuits, of those that pass through the control device,
are energized at a given time. The multi-circuit power infeed includes at
least first and second electrical conductors on separate circuits, while
the multi-circuit power output also includes first and second electrical
conductors that are associated with the separate circuits of the power
infeed. The power control device includes first and second electrical
switches associated with the first and second conductors, an electronic
communications module, and a computer processor in communication with the
switches and the communications module. Each of the switches is operable,
in response to the computer processor, between a closed configuration and
an open configuration and to selectively connect and disconnect the
conductors of the power infeed relative to the corresponding conductors
of the power output. The computer processor is operable to open and close
each of the electrical switches, independently of one another, in
response to either or both of (i) an occupancy signal received via the
electronic communications module, and (ii) a trigger or programmed event
detected by the computer processor. An electrical power outlet is in
electrical communication with one of the electrical conductors of the
power output, and is configured to receive an electrical plug of an
electrical consumer or device. The power control device can selectively
provide electricity to the power outlet and the electrical consumer when
the corresponding electrical switch is closed.

[0006] Optionally, the power control device further includes a memory
module that is in communication with the computer processor. The memory
module can store a program and/or a trigger event. The computer processor
is operable to open and close the first and second electrical switches in
response to the trigger event or program stored in the memory module. For
example, the trigger event may be a particular time of day and/or date at
which one or more switches should be opened or closed according to the
expected occupancy or non-occupancy of an area in which the device is
operated.

[0007] Optionally, the signal received via the electronic communications
module of the power control device is an occupancy signal indicative of
whether a corresponding area is occupied by a person. The occupancy
signal is generated by an occupancy detector, such as a motion sensor,
heat detector, or the like, which transmits the occupancy signal to the
electronic communications module of the power control device.

[0008] The electronic communications module may be in communication with a
computer having a display, and the electronic communications module is
configured to receive program instructions from the computer. The program
instructions typically include one or more trigger events, such as the
time of day, and day of the week, that each switch should be closed or
opened to selectively energize or de-energize a given circuit.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, an electrical power
management system includes a power infeed with at least first and second
electrical infeed conductors disposed in a flexible armored infeed
conduit, a multi-circuit power output, a power control device, an
electrical junction box, and an electrical power outlet. The
multi-circuit power output includes first and second electrical output
conductors associated with electrically separate circuits and disposed in
a flexible armored output conduit. The power control device is in
electrical communication with the multi-circuit power infeed and the
multi-circuit power output, the power control device including first and
second electrical switches associated with the first and second
electrical output conductors and operable between an open configuration
and a closed configuration to permit selective electrical coupling of the
first and second electrical output conductors to at least one of the
first and second electrical infeed conductors. The electrical junction
box is positioned along the flexible armored output conduit of the
multi-circuit power output. The electrical power outlet is positionable
at the electrical junction box and configured to receive an electrical
plug of an electrical consumer. The electrical power outlet is in
electrical communication with the first electrical output conductor when
the electrical power outlet is coupled to the electrical junction box to
selectively provide electricity to the power outlet and the electrical
consumer when the first electrical switch is closed.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, an electrical power
management system includes an electrical receptacle in electrical
communication with at least one circuit of a multi-circuit power infeed
having at least two electrical infeed conductors on separate circuits.
The electrical receptacle includes a computer processor, a real-time
clock associated with the computer processor, at least one hot electrical
contact and at least one neutral electrical contact, an electrical relay,
and electronic communications module. The hot and neutral electrical
contacts are configured to receive respective contacts of an electrical
plug associated with an electrical consumer. The electrical relay is
operable to selectively energize the hot electrical contact in response
to a signal received from the computer processor in response to at least
one of (i) an occupancy signal received via the electronic communications
module and (ii) a trigger event detected by the computer processor. The
electronic communications module is in communication with a remote
computer having a display, and is configured to receive program
instructions from the remote computer, where the program instructions
include one or more of the trigger events.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided
for controlling the distribution of electrical power among a plurality of
circuits in an electrical system. The method includes electrically
coupling a multi-circuit power infeed to a power control device, the
power control device including first and second electrical switches
associated with first and second electrical conductors of the
multi-circuit power infeed. The electrical switches are controlled by a
computer processor of the power control device. A multi-circuit power
output is electrically coupled to the power control device, wherein the
multi-circuit power output includes first and second electrical
conductors that are in selective electrical communication with the first
and second electrical conductors of the multi-circuit power infeed
according to the positions of the first and second electrical switches.
An electrical power outlet is electrically coupled to one of the first
and second electrical conductors of the multi-circuit power output. An
occupancy signal is received via an electronic communications module, or
a trigger event is detected by the computer processor. In response to
receiving an occupancy signal or detecting a trigger event, either or
both switches are closed or opened to thereby electrically energize or
de-energize the first and second electrical conductors of the
multi-circuit power output.

[0012] Optionally, a power monitor is incorporated into the power control
device for measuring and logging and/or transmitting power consumption
data for each circuit to another computer, such as for historical power
consumption data analysis.

[0013] Therefore, the present invention provides an electrical power
management system and method that allows for individual control of
electrical circuits in a work area or the like, so that one or more of
the circuits that service the given area may be de-energized during
periods of non-use. This permits conservation of energy, substantially
without affecting productivity, while also allowing for power consumption
data analysis for use in optimizing power consumption within a building
or work area.

[0014] These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of the
present invention will become apparent upon review of the following
specification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a diagram of a wired and wireless network-enabled
electrical power management system in accordance with the present
invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a diagram of a basic stand-alone electrical power
management system in accordance with the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a
multi-circuit power distribution assembly, including a power control
device, shown partially disposed in a raceway of a work station divider
or wall;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a wire diagram of a four-circuit version of the power
control device of FIG. 3;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a wire diagram of the power output end portion associated
with the power control device of FIG. 4;

[0020]FIG. 6 is a wire diagram of a pair of wired occupancy sensors that
are operable in communication with the power control device via a local
bus;

[0021]FIG. 7A is a wire diagram of a two-circuit version of the power
control device;

[0022]FIG. 7B is a wire diagram of a two-circuit power output associated
with the two-circuit power control device of FIG. 7A;

[0023]FIG. 8A is a wire diagram of a three-circuit version of the power
control device;

[0024]FIG. 8B is a wire diagram of a three-circuit power output
associated with the three-circuit power control device of FIG. 8A;

[0025]FIG. 9 is a wire diagram of another three-circuit power output that
can be associated with a power control device;

[0026]FIG. 10 is a wire diagram of another four-circuit power output that
can be associated with a power control device;

[0027]FIG. 11 is a wire diagram of another four-circuit power output that
can be associated with a power control device;

[0028] FIGS. 12A-12F are perspective views of different exemplary wiring
arrangements that are useful for electrically connecting a power control
device to a new or pre-existing wiring arrangement;

[0029]FIG. 13 is a wire diagram of a receptacle-level power control
device in accordance with the present invention;

[0030]FIG. 14 is a screen image of a computer display used for time-based
programming of the power control device;

[0031]FIG. 15 is a screen image of a computer display showing historical
energy consumption in a single circuit on an hourly basis;

[0032]FIG. 16 is a screen image of an occupancy display and control used
for selecting which circuits will be energized when a given occupancy
sensor detects that an area is occupied;

[0033] FIG. 17 is a screen image of a chart on a computer display,
depicting historical detected occupancy of an area, as reported by an
occupancy sensor to a power control device;

[0034]FIG. 18 is a screen image of a chart on a computer display,
depicting historical day-by-day of energy consumption in different
circuits, as reported by a power control device; and

[0035]FIG. 19 is a screen image of a chart on a computer display,
depicting historical minute-by-minute power consumption in an individual
circuit, as reported by a power control device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Referring now to the drawings of the illustrative embodiments
depicted therein, an electrical power management system 10 (FIG. 1)
allows a building or work area administrator, or other authorized person,
to set, control, and monitor circuit-by-circuit power consumption within
the system. Power management system 10 includes a plurality of
multi-circuit power distribution assemblies 12, each including a
respective power control device 14 in communication with a plurality of
occupancy sensors 16, at least some of which are on different electrical
circuits within a given assembly 12. Each power distribution assembly 12
may service a different portion of a work area, for example, and is in
communication with occupancy sensors 16 and/or with a local computer 18
(typically a computer located at the same premises as power distribution
assembly 12), which communicates with each power control device 14, such
as to program the device in a manner that will be described in more
detail below.

[0037] Each power control device 14 is operable to selectively de-energize
one or more of the circuits of its respective power distribution assembly
12 in response to an occupancy signal received from occupancy sensor 16,
and/or in accordance with a power control program that is uploaded to the
power control device 14 from local computer 18. This allows for a
selective de-energizing of particular circuits in a work area or the
like, to limit or prevent unnecessary electrical consumption when a given
area that is serviced by a power distribution assembly 12 is unoccupied,
or when a given area is typically unoccupied, or in a period of limited
use. Optionally, an occupancy signal received from occupancy sensor 16
may override a programmed instruction to open a given circuit, so that
electrical power is made available for persons in a work area at
non-standard times, for example.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, electrical power
management system 10 includes a remote computer 20 and/or a computer
server 22, which may be operated by a third party service provider, an
administrator, or the like. Remote computer 20 and server 22 can
communicate with local computer 18 via Internet 24 or other computer
network. For example, remote computer 20 and computer server 22 may
communicate with local computer 18 and/or power control device 14 via
Internet 24 and an Ethernet switch 26 and/or other network devices
located on the premises of multi-circuit power distribution assemblies
12.

[0039] It will be appreciated that substantially all electronic
communications within electrical power management system 10 may be
conducted wirelessly, or through wired connections, or through a
combination of wired and wireless communications, without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, some
occupancy sensors 16 may include wireless transmitters 28 for sending
occupancy signals to a wireless receiver or communications module 30
located at power control device 14, thus forming a wireless network 31
(FIG. 1). Other occupancy sensors 16 may communicate with a wired
receiver or communications module 32 of power control device 14 via
dedicated wiring 34 (FIG. 1). Other wiring 35 may be provided for
communications between power control device 14 and Ethernet switch 26 or
other communications hardware. It will be appreciated that a given power
control device 14 may include a communications module that is capable of
both wired and wireless electronic communications.

[0040] Optionally, a multi-circuit power distribution assembly 12 may be
operated in a substantially autonomous manner in which the power control
device 14 selectively energizes and de-energizes individual circuits
within power distribution assembly 12 according to signals received from
occupancy sensors 16 or the like, such as shown in FIG. 2. In this
arrangement, power control device 14 may not be programmable by an
outside device, such as local computer 18, but would generally operate in
response to occupancy sensors only. In addition, an override switch 36
(FIGS. 1 and 2) may be provided, which is in communication with wiring 34
(or in wireless communication with power control device 14), so that one
or more circuits within power distribution assembly 12 may be energized
regardless of whether the presence of a person is detected in the area of
occupancy sensors 16.

[0041] Optionally, when power control device 14 is signaled to energize
one or more circuits based on signals received from occupancy sensors 16
or override switch 36, power control device 14 may be configured to
de-energize the circuit or circuits after a predetermined amount of time
has passed since the switch was activated, or since the last time an
occupancy signal was sent by an occupancy sensor 16. Optionally, a
real-time clock 38 may be associated with occupancy sensors 16 or
override switch 36, so that activation of the switch or sensors can be
set to "time out" after a predetermined amount of time, thus sending a
signal to power control device 14 to de-energize its circuit or circuits.
Power control device 14 may also incorporate a real-time clock 38 for
substantially the same purpose, or for use in running the power control
device 14 according to a programmed schedule, as will be described below.

[0042] Power control device 14 is typically installed between a power
infeed 40 and one or more junction blocks 42 having electrical power
outlet receptacles 44 associated therewith (FIG. 3). Power control device
14 is electrically coupled to power infeed 40 via a plurality of bundled
power infeed electrical conductors 46, and is further in electrical
communication with junction blocks 42 via a plurality of bundled power
output electrical conductors 48. Optionally, power infeed electrical
conductors 46 are electrically coupled to power infeed 40 via an infeed
connector 50, while power output electrical conductors 48 are
electrically coupled to junction blocks 42 or other downstream conductors
via an output connector 52. In the illustrated embodiment, power infeed
electrical conductors 46 and power output conductors 48 are shielded or
protected by respective flexible metal or armored conduits 53 (FIGS. 2
and 3). Junction blocks 42 define cavities 55 on their opposite sides
(FIG. 2) for receiving power outlet receptacles 44. Junction blocks 42
are configured in a manner that allows a given receptacle 44 to
electrically couple to one circuit when the receptacle is in a first
orientation relative to junction block 42 when the receptacle is received
at cavity 55, and that allows the receptacle 44 to electrically couple to
a different circuit when the receptacle is in a second orientation
(typically oriented 180 degrees to the first orientation) relative to the
junction block 42. This is electrically illustrated in FIG. 5, for
example, in which different junction blocks 42 are diagrammatically shown
to permit electrical connections (by different circuits or outlet
receptacles 44a-d) to different combinations of electrical conductors 48
that pass through each junction block 42. Such systems are readily
available from Byrne Electrical Specialists, Inc. of Rockford, Mich., and
are described in more detail in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,259,787;
6,036,516; and 7,534,122, for example, which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, power control device 14,
junction block 42 and power outlet receptacle 44, bundled electrical
conductors 46 and 48, and connectors 50 and 52 cooperate to form a
portion of a given multi-circuit power distribution assembly 12 (also
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), which is configured to be at least partially
disposed in a raceway 54 defined in a wall or divider 56 or the like
(FIG. 3). Although raceway 54 is shown at a lower end portion of a
furniture divider or partition 56 in FIG. 3, it will be appreciated that
raceway 54 may be disposed at substantially any position along the
divider or wall 56, to provide power along substantially any divider or
wall location. For example, the BYRNE 8-TRAC® or BYRNE 4-TRAC®
electrical distribution assemblies, available from Byrne Electrical
Specialists, Inc. of Rockford, Mich., are configured for such
applications, and these may incorporate power control device 14 to serve
as suitable multi-circuit power distribution assemblies 12. The
above-referenced BYRNE 8-TRAC® and BYRNE 4-TRAC® systems are
described in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,410,379 and in commonly-owned
U.S. patent application, Publication No. 2012/0064747, respectively,
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Optionally, a multi-circuit power distribution assembly may be positioned
in a raised floor, or in raceways provided above a ceiling, without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0044] Power control device 14 includes an electronic communications
module 58 which, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, includes a
wired receiver or "local bus" 32, an Ethernet transceiver 60, and
wireless transceiver 30 for performing electronics communications to
and/or from power control device 14. Wired receiver 32 includes a
standard RJ45 connector 62 or the like, for coupling to wiring 34 of
occupancy sensors 16 and/or override switch 36. Ethernet transceiver 60
may similarly include a 10/100 Ethernet port (RJ45 connector) 64 or the
like, for wired communications with Ethernet switch 26 via wiring 35.
Wireless receiver 30 includes a transceiver antenna 66 to facilitate
wireless communications between power control device 14 and wireless
occupancy sensors 16, local computer 18, remote computer 20 and server
22, or the like. For example, wireless receiver 30 may be a transceiver
operating under 2.4 GHz ZIGBEE® protocol, BLUETOOTH® protocol, or
substantially any other wireless communications protocol.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, electronic communications
module 58 includes wired receiver 32, wireless receiver 30, and Ethernet
transceiver 60, all of which are in electronic communication with a
computer processor 68 in power control device 14. However, it will be
appreciated that, depending on the need for a particular application, one
or two of wireless receiver 30, wired receiver 32, and Ethernet
transceiver 60 may be omitted, thus providing reduced communications
capability, but still providing limited functionality. For example, in
the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, power control device 14 may include
only wired receiver 32 for communication with occupancy sensors 16 and
override switch 36, in which case the power control device may lack the
ability to communicate with another computer, for example.

[0046] Control device 14 further includes a plurality of electrical
switches 70, such as electrical relays or the like, each of which
corresponds to a respective "hot" conductor among the power infeed
electrical conductors 46 (FIG. 4). For example, in the illustrative
embodiment of FIG. 4, there are four electrically hot conductors (L1-L4),
each part of a distinct electrical circuit that enters power control
device 14 from power infeed conductors 46. Each electrically hot
conductor L1-L4 feeds into a respective one of electrical switches 70,
which are independently operable between an open configuration (as shown
in FIG. 4) and a closed configuration in response to a signal received
from computer processor 68. In addition to the electrically hot
conductors L1-L4, power infeed electrical conductors 46 include two
neutral conductors N1, N2 and two ground conductors G, IG that pass
unbroken through power control device 14 and continue through to power
output electrical conductors 48.

[0047] A power supply 72 is electrically coupled to hot conductor L1 and
neutral conductor N1 in power control device 14, regardless of whether
any of switches 70 are open, such as shown in FIG. 4. Power supply 72
draws power from power infeed 40 and supplies the electrical power needs
of power control device 14. Power supply 72 may include a battery and/or
an AC/DC power inverter. A memory module 74 is in communication with
computer processor 68, and allows the processor to store triggered events
such as a time-based program schedule defining times at which the
circuits associated with hot conductors L1-L4 will be de-energized or
re-energized by changing the position of the individual electrical
switches 70. A real-time clock 38 may be incorporated into power control
device 14 for use in operating time-based functions. Optionally, a power
monitor module 76 is in communication with computer processor 68, and is
individually electrically coupled using inductive couplers 78 at each of
the electrically hot conductors L1-L4 of the power output electrical
conductors 48 using known techniques, to individually monitor, track, and
report real time power consumption and/or historical power consumption
data for the individual circuits associated with hot conductors L1-L4.

[0048] Referring now to FIG. 5, the four hot conductors L1-L4 of power
output conductors 48 are (or are configured to be) electrically coupled
to electrical consumers via electrical connections represented by power
outlet receptacles 44a-d, which are also identified as "Circuit 1",
"Circuit 2", "Circuit 3", and "Circuit 4" in FIG. 5. Each of power outlet
receptacles 44a-d represents at least one power outlet receptacle for a
potential power consumer (appliance, computer, lighting, power outlet, or
the like), or represents a potential power consumer itself, which may
draw power from one of the circuits passing through power control device
14. For example, first power outlet receptacle 44a may represent a
plurality of power outlet receptacles at the floor level of a work area,
which are primarily for powering computers, computer monitors, and
peripheral devices; while second power outlet receptacle 44b may
represent a plurality of power outlet receptacles at a work surface level
of the work area, which may be primarily intended for powering chargers,
fans, pencil sharpeners, radios, etc.; while third power outlet
receptacle 44c may represent area lighting provided at individual
workstations; and fourth power outlet receptacle 44d may represent an
unused circuit that is available for later use, if desired.

[0049] Optionally, and by further example, each of power outlet
receptacles 44a-d may represent a separate electrical circuit that
provides power to a respective one of four individual workstations, so
that each workstation (including computers, monitors, area lighting,
peripheral devices, etc.) is powered by a respective one of Circuits 1-4.
In this latter example, it may be beneficial to de-energize one
individual circuit for a prolonged period, such as during a planned
vacation by the person assigned to a corresponding work station, for
example, in addition to regular programmed (or occupancy-based)
de-energizing of the circuit.

[0050] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5, each of Circuits 1-3
(represented by power outlet receptacles 44a-c) has one neutral conductor
socket 80 that is electrically coupled to a first neutral conductor N1 of
power output conductors 48, one ground conductor socket 82 that is
electrically coupled to a first ground conductor G1 of power output
conductors 48, and one hot conductor socket 84a-c that is electrically
coupled to a respective one of hot conductors L1-L3 of power output
conductors 48. In this way, each of the electrically isolated hot
conductors L1-L3 supplies current to a respective one of Circuits 1-3,
while these circuits all share a common neutral conductor N1 and a common
ground conductor G.

[0051] However, Circuit 4 (represented by fourth power outlet receptacle
44d) is a fully-isolated circuit in which its neutral conductor socket 80
is electrically coupled to a second neutral conductor N2 of power output
conductors 48, its ground conductor socket 82 is electrically coupled to
an isolated second ground conductor G2 of power output conductors 48, and
its hot conductor socket 84d is electrically coupled to hot conductor L4
of power output conductors 48. With this arrangement, power control
device 14 is operable to individually de-energize any of Circuits 1-4 by
opening a corresponding one of electrical switches 70 to disconnect the
corresponding one of hot conductors L1-L4, while the neutral lines N1, N2
and ground lines G, IG remain in electrical contact with the
corresponding neutral lines N1, N2 and ground lines G, IG of power infeed
electrical conductors 46.

[0052] It will be appreciated that power control device 14 may be adapted
for use with substantially any power infeed having substantially any
number of hot conductors, neutral conductors, and ground conductors,
depending on the electrical needs of a given application. For example,
the power control device may be in communication with a single neutral
conductor, a single ground conductor, and two hot conductors of a power
output 48a defining two circuits, each controlled by a respective switch
70, such as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Other variations may include, for
example, different three-circuit arrangements such as one having a single
neutral conductor, a single ground conductor, and three hot conductors of
a power output 48b, such as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B; and one having
three neutral conductors, one common ground conductor, one isolated
ground conductor, and three hot conductors of a power output 48c, such as
shown in FIG. 9. Other exemplary four-circuit arrangements may include
one having two neutral conductors, one ground conductor used by two
circuits, one isolated ground conductor used by two other circuits, and
four hot conductors of a power output 48d, such as shown in FIG. 10; and
one having two neutral conductors, one ground conductor used by three
circuits, one isolated ground conductor used by a fourth circuit, and
four hot conductors of a power output 48e, such as shown in FIG. 11.

[0053] All of the above-described circuit arrangements are commonly
available from Byrne

[0054] Electrical Specialists, Inc. of Rockford, Mich., and currently
marketed as the Byrne 5-Wire System (FIG. 8), the Byrne "3-3-2"
Eight-Wire System (FIG. 9), the Byrne "2+2" Eight-Wire System (FIG. 10),
and the Byrne "3+D" Eight-Wire System (FIG. 11). Although switches are
not illustrated in the circuits of FIGS. 9-11, it is envisioned that any
of these circuits could readily be adapted to incorporate a power control
device 14 having respective switches 70 on each of the hot conductors,
such as shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, or in substantially any other
multi-circuit arrangement. Although the illustrated circuits all show
one-to-one correlation of power output conductors 48 to power infeed
conductors 46, it should further be appreciated that such correlation is
not required. For example, a single high-capacity electrically hot
conductor could be provided at the power infeed (typically in combination
with an electrically neutral conductor and an electrically grounded
conductor), and then split into two or three or four or more separate
infeed conductors that connect to respective switches 70 to form separate
circuits at the switches and electrical output conductors 48, without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 6, an exemplary local bus wire diagram
depicts an exemplary pair of wired occupancy sensors 16 that communicate
with one or more power control devices 14 via wiring 34 and connector 62,
such as shown in FIG. 7A. Each sensor 16 includes a plurality of internal
switches 86, each of which corresponds to a respective signal conductor
88, which in turn corresponds to a respective circuit managed by power
control device 14. In this way, each occupancy sensor 16 is selectable to
activate any single circuit or combination of circuits by transmitting an
occupancy signal to one or more power control devices 14. For example, if
only office computers (on one circuit) and area lighting (on another
circuit) are to be energized when a given occupancy sensor 16 detects
that a particular area is occupied, then only two of switches 86 are set
to close in order to signal power control device 14, through
corresponding signal conductors 88, to close corresponding switches 70 to
energize the selected circuits associated with the office computers and
area lighting. Override switch 36 may be operated in a similar manner as
wired occupancy sensors 16, but with a manual button or other type of
user-actuatable switch or signaler that closes the electrical contacts
associated with one or more signal conductors 88 of electrical wiring 34,
and may be configured to activate any single circuit or substantially any
combination of circuits within power management system 10, as desired.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 6, occupancy sensors 16 may
include two connectors, such as RJ45 connectors, to allow multiple
sensors to be arranged in series. Sensors 16 may be a passive infrared
(PIR) type, for example, of substantially any desired sensitivity and
detection angle and/or distance, as is known in the art. It will be
appreciated that wireless occupancy sensors can be operated in
substantially the same way as wired sensors, but with wireless
transmitters 28 used in place of signal conductors 88. Wireless occupancy
sensors may be battery-powered, and may communicate with wireless
transceiver 30 of power control device 14 via wireless transmitter 28
(FIG. 1). Optionally, the sensors 16 may include on-board real-time
clocks (like clock 38) that enable the sensors to send an occupancy
signal for a predetermined or selected period of time after occupancy has
been detected, so that power control device will maintain the selected
switch or switches 70 in a closed configuration until the occupancy
signal from sensor 16 times out.

[0057] It is envisioned that electrical power management system 10 may be
adapted for use in different operating environments, such as to provide
fewer features where extra features or functionality are not needed, or
where system cost should be reduced. For example, a full-function power
management system may include power monitor 76 and inductive couplings
78, time-based circuit on/off controls, software implemented at local
computer 18 for programming power control device 14, manual override
switch 36, local wired bus 34, 62 for occupancy sensors 16 and override
switches 36, Ethernet port 64 for wired control access to power control
device 14, and wireless transceiver 30 at communications module 58. A
medium-function power management system may include most features of a
full-function system, but exclude circuit power monitoring (e.g. power
monitor 76 and inductive couplings 78) capability, for example. A
lower-function power management system may include only time-based
circuit on/off controls, and a local wired bus 34, 62 for occupancy
sensors 16 and override switches 36, while omitting power monitoring, and
wireless communication capabilities.

[0058] Accordingly, power control device 14 is capable of individually
actuating electrical switches 70 to selectively energize and de-energize
individual circuits associated with hot conductors L1-L4 of power infeed
electrical conductors 46. Each of the electrically hot conductors L1-L4
may be associated with a specific type of electrical consumer, such as
appliances 71 having wired plugs 73 (FIG. 3) that may be plugged in to
power outlet receptacles 34, or for lighting, HVAC equipment, or other
types of electrical consumers serviced by power infeed 40. Power control
device 14 is operable in a substantially autonomous mode in which, once a
program is received in memory 74 (such as via local computer 18 and
Ethernet transceiver 60), processor 68 will control the position of each
electrical switch 70 based on time of day, day of week, or other
parameters as defined by the program stored in memory 74. Computer
processor 68 may also individually operate switches 70 in response to
occupancy signals received from occupancy sensors 16 via electrical
wiring 34, or via wireless transceiver 30, for example. Power control
device 14 may optionally monitor power consumption of individual circuits
associated with each hot conductor L1-L4, and constantly transmit the
collected power consumption data via electronic communications module 58
and/or may log such data in memory module 74.

[0059] Power consumption data may be collected by processor 68 and
forwarded from power control device 14 to remote computer 20 and/or
server 22 for analysis and reporting purposes, for example, and can be
made accessible to local computer 18, which is more closely associated
with the premises at which electrical power management system 10 is
installed or implemented. Remote computer 20 and server 22 (FIG. 1)
represent substantially any computing system with access to memory
storage, such as to facilitate "cloud computing" functions for data
storage and analysis, and it should be understood that system 10 does not
require a separate computer and server as shown in FIG. 1. Local computer
18 may be a desktop or laptop computer, or a hand-held portable computer
that exchanges data wirelessly or through wired connections on the
premises of power distribution assemblies 12, such as via Ethernet and/or
WiFi implemented network(s), for example. However, it will be appreciated
that local computer 18 may access the network remotely, without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, local computer 18 is used
to program power control devices 14 as desired, and can be used to
monitor or control the current status of each power control device 14. It
is envisioned that local computer 18 can obtain and display power
consumption data received directly from each power control device 14, in
addition to (or as an alternative to) obtaining power consumption data
from remote computer 20. Electronic communications between local computer
18 and power control devices 14 may be implemented via open-source or
proprietary communications protocols. For example, the communications
modules 58 of power control devices 14 may be configured to communicate
via BACnet protocol, which is a standard protocol used for building
automation and control networks. Optionally, communications may be
integrated into BACnet via another communications protocol, such as
SIMMSnet protocol, which is available from SIMMS Electronics of Grand
Rapids, Mich. SIMMSnet is configured or adapted to facilitate
communications between local computer 18, Ethernet switch 26, power
control devices 14, motion sensors 16, and an existing BACnet system by
utilizing both wired and wireless communications to ensure that
information is exchanged efficiently between components.

[0061] Information displays, such as power consumption graphs (FIGS. 15,
18, and 19) and the like, may be generated by analysis and display
software such as the "e6 System" by SIMMS Energy of Grand Rapids, Mich.
Data displays themselves, based on data received from power control
devices 14, may be integrated into existing BACnet displays, so that a
person using local computer 18 can observe and control power consumption
along multi-circuit power distribution assemblies 12 along with other
energy consumers in the building or premises. It will be appreciated that
such displays or user interfaces may be readily customized or adapted
according to a particular user's preferences.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 14, an exemplary user display interface 90 is
presented or displayable at local computer 18 (or at a display associated
with computer 18) for use in programming power control devices 14. In
FIG. 14, display interface 90 is illustrated as showing a power-on time
of 8:30 am, Monday through Friday, for an electrical circuit that is
associated with computers in a work area that is serviced by one power
control device 14, while three other electrical circuits associated with
"desk 1", "desk 2", and "desk 3", which are serviced by the power control
device 14 in that work area, are currently set to "off" at those days and
times. In the illustrated embodiment, once the program input is saved,
the power output electrical conductor(s) of the circuit associated with
"computers" in the work area will be energized at 8:30 am, Monday through
Friday, by closing the associated electrical switch 70 at power control
device 14. Another program input would likely be used to de-energize the
circuit later in the day.

[0063] An hour-by-hour power consumption history display 92 (FIG. 15) may
be presented at local computer 18 for use in monitoring electrical power
consumption at a given power control device 14, down to a
circuit-by-circuit level. Display 92 can be used to readily determine the
typical work hours or periods of active energy use during any given day
(with hour-by-hour energy consumption shown at display 92 of FIG. 15),
and can also display the energy cost over a given period of time. For
example, on the display 92 of FIG. 15, the energy consumption from 8 am
to 9 am cost about $0.15 for the area monitored, while energy consumption
in the same area between 9 am and 10 am cost $0.44. Energy consumption in
the area can be observed to taper off quickly between the hours of 6 pm
and 7 pm, and also between the hours of 7 pm and 8 pm. Thus, the
information presented at display 92 could be used to determine that an
appropriate time to de-energize one or more circuits in the monitored
work area would be about 7:30 pm, and an appropriate time to re-energize
the circuit(s) would be about 8:30 am. Because the energy consumption of
the work area monitored by display 92 is about $4.50 to $5.00 during work
hours, and about $2.00 to $2.25 during non-work hours, in this example
the overall 24-hour energy consumption in the work area can be reduced by
about 30% without affecting the availability of electricity during
typical work hours.

[0064] In the case of a power control device 14 that is at least partially
controlled via occupancy sensors 16, an occupancy display 94 (FIG. 16)
may be used to control and display which circuits are to be energized
when a given occupancy sensor or sensors 16 detect occupancy of a work
area. A historical occupancy screen or display 96 (FIG. 17) may be used
to show the times at which a work area is occupied, as detected by
occupancy sensors 16, similar to how power consumption display 92 can be
used to show typical times of active energy usage, to aid a user in
determining which circuits should be activated when occupancy is detected
by a particular sensor or sensors 16. Optionally, room temperature, light
levels, and other metrics may also be measured, recorded, and shown at
display 96 (FIG. 17).

[0065] For higher-level energy analysis, power consumption displays may
include, for example, a historical day-by-day analysis display 98 of
energy consumption in each circuit, in terms of kilowatt hours (kWh) and
corresponding cost (FIG. 18), or a minute-by-minute power consumption
display 100 for an individual circuit (FIG. 19). It is envisioned that
historical data may be collected and displayed for substantially any
power consumption metric or occupancy metric, and displayed at
substantially any resolution such as minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour,
day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month, season-by-season, year-by-year,
etc. This information may be used to optimize the programming of power
control devices 14 for energy savings.

[0066] Electrical power management system 10 may be used to implement a
method of energy control. The wiring installation procedure includes
electrically coupling a multi-circuit power infeed to a power control
device, which can be accomplished in several different ways that will be
described below. The power control device includes multiple electrical
switches that are associated with a plurality of electrical infeed
conductors of the multi-circuit power infeed. A multi-circuit power
output is electrically coupled to the power control device. At least some
of the power output conductors are in selective electrical communication
with electrical infeed conductors according to the positions of the
electrical switches in the power control device. One or more electrical
power outlets or other electrical consumers (lighting, for example) are
coupled to at least one of the electrical output conductors. Wired or
wireless occupancy sensors may be installed in the area served by the
power management system, if desired.

[0067] Electronic communications are established between local computer 18
and power control device 14, and/or between power control device 14 and
occupancy sensors 16. Once communications are established, an occupancy
signal may be received by power control device 14 (via an electronic
communications module 58) from one or more occupancy sensors 16, or
processor 68 may determine that a trigger event (e.g. a programmed time
at which a particular circuit should be energized or de-energized). In
response to receiving an occupancy signal or detecting a trigger event,
the processor 68 closes or opens one or more switches 70 at power control
device 14 to thereby electrically energize or de-energize the electrical
output conductor(s) associated with the circuit(s).

[0068] It is envisioned that power control devices 14 may be incorporated
or wired into numerous different wiring arrangements for use in office or
work areas, homes, or the like, to enable circuit-level control and
monitoring of energy consumption in different areas of a building or
structure. Options for wiring power control device may include, for
example, a hardwired power-infeed arrangement 102 like that of FIG. 12A
(also in FIGS. 1 and 2); a connector-based power-infeed arrangement 104
like that of FIG. 12B (also in FIG. 3); a connector-based retrofit
arrangement 106 like that of FIG. 12c, in which a power-infeed 108 (FIG.
2) may be removed from an existing installation and replaced by
connector-based retrofit 106 simply by plugging electrical connectors;
another connector-based retrofit arrangement 110 (FIG. 12D) utilizing
different connectors and including exposed conductors for wiring to
substantially any other wiring system; a hardwired power-infeed
arrangement 112 (FIG. 12E); and a universal installation arrangement 114
(FIG. 12F) that can be used in conjunction with substantially any wiring
system by direct-connection of wiring 116 to screw terminals 118 or the
like.

[0069] Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 13, a receptacle-level power
control device 114 may be implemented in a similar manner as the
circuit-level power control device 14, described above, but used for
outlet-by-outlet (or consumer-by-consumer) control of electrical
consumption in a building or work area, such that multiple
receptacle-level power control devices 114 may be used along a single
electrical circuit. Receptacle-level power control device 114 is a
substantially self-contained unit that includes conventional electrical
receptacle contacts 116, which include electrically hot (or "line")
contacts 116a, electrically neutral contacts 116b, and electrically
grounded contacts 116c. Hot contacts 116a are selectively energized by
coupling to (in the illustrated embodiment) one of four hot conductors
L1-L4 via a relay switch 118. Relay 118 is activated by a
computer processor 120 in response to any one or more of (i) a program
stored in memory at processor 120, (ii) a signal received from an
optional occupancy sensor 122, and (iii) a signal received from a
wireless receiver or communications module 124 having an associated
transceiver or receiver antenna 126. Processor 120 may be in
communication with a real-time clock 128 for use in running time-based
and/or date-based programs for energizing and de-energizing hot contacts
116a at programmed times, for example. A power supply 130 is electrically
coupled to any one of the available hot conductors L1-L4 via a
hot power conductor 132, and is also coupled to either of two available
neutral conductors N1 or N2, so that power supply 130 is
supplied with substantially constant electrical power for operating
processor 120 and relay 118.

[0070] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 13, receptacle-level power
control device 114 is associated with a four-circuit power supply having
four hot conductors L1-L4, two neutral conductors N1 and
N2, and two ground conductors G and IG (the latter being an isolated
ground), such as may be implemented via the 8-TRAC® electrical
distribution assembly available from Byrne Electrical Specialists, Inc.
of Rockford, Mich., which is disclosed in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No.
7,410,379, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. However, it will be appreciated that different numbers of hot,
neutral, and ground conductors are equally possible. During the
manufacturing and/or the installation of receptacle-level power control
device 114, power supply 130 may be coupled to any of the available
neutral conductors N1 and N2 and to any of the available hot
conductors L1-L4, while the electrically neutral contacts 116b
may be electrically coupled to any of the available neutral conductors
N1 and N2, and electrically grounded contacts 116c may be
electrically coupled to any of the available ground conductors G and IG.
The selection of which conductors to electrically couple to power supply
130, hot power conductor 132, electrically neutral contacts 116b, and
electrically grounded contacts 116c, may be made according to local
electrical codes and the number of other electrical receptacles or
electrical loads present along the circuit(s).

[0071] Receptacle-level power control device 114 may operate in a similar
manner as a lower-functioning power management system, described above.
For example, receptacle-level power control device 114 may be configured
to actuate relay 118 based on a program received in memory of computer
processor 120 (e.g., via a programming signal delivered from a remote
computer to processor 120 via communications module 124) and based on a
time signal received from real-time clock 128. Optionally,
receptacle-level power control device 114 may not be capable of receiving
a signal from an occupancy sensor 122, for example, and/or may not be
equipped to monitor power consumption at the receptacle. Thus, as with
the circuit-level power control device 14, receptacle-level power control
device 114 may be configured with various levels of functionality
according to cost constraints and functional needs in a building or work
area. For example, it is envisioned that the receptacle-level power
control device could be equipped with substantially the same
communications and data logging hardware and capabilities as the
circuit-level power control device 14. Optionally, receptacle-level power
control device 114 may be paired with (i.e., controlled via) one of
circuit-level power control devices 14 described above, which may
communicate via their respective communications modules 30 and 124, so
that receptacle-level power control device 114 may be controlled via a
wired or wireless network, the Internet, or wireless communications.

[0072] Thus, the electrical power management systems and methods of the
present invention permit control and monitoring of electrical power
consumption on a circuit-by-circuit basis in a building or work area. The
power control device is in electrical communication with a multi-circuit
power infeed and a multi-circuit power output, each including a plurality
of electrical conductors on separate circuits. The power control device
can receive and store program instructions from another computer, and can
operation substantially autonomously to energize and de-energize circuits
based on the program instructions without further input from the other
computer. Optionally, the power control device can energize and
de-energize individual circuits based on occupancy signals from one or
more occupancy sensors, for example. Thus, when a period of non-use is
detected or anticipated for a particular area services by the system, the
power control device will de-energize one or more of the circuits to
limit or prevent unnecessary energy consumption within the system.

[0073] Changes and modifications in the specifically-described embodiments
may be carried out without departing from the principles of the present
invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the
appended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law
including the doctrine of equivalents.

Patent applications by Gerald N. Vander Till, Grandville, MI US

Patent applications by Roger D. Burdi, Grand Rapids, MI US

Patent applications by Timothy J. Warwick, Sparta, MI US

Patent applications in class Electrical power generation or distribution system

Patent applications in all subclasses Electrical power generation or distribution system